Was it fiber or taste that propelled Olipop and Poppi?

Are Americans so worried about their stomach health that they’re willing to spend more than three-quarters of a billion dollars a year on gut-health-promoting sodas?

That might be too simple an explanation for the rapid growth of competitors Olipop and Poppi, according to a fascinating analyst in the Food Institute site by Dr. James Richardson is the founder of Premium Growth Solutions,rt a strategic planning consultancy for early-stage consumer packaged goods brands.

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May 29, 2025 0

Säti Slim — A sugar-free soda option for Memorial Day

I grew up drinking Coke and Pepsi. These days, I tend to drink Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi despite concerns about the sweeteners they use. But when an alternative come along, I’ll try it. The makers of Säti Soda Slim, rolled out late last year, were nice enough recently to offer me samples to review.

“Säti Slim’s ingredients were meticulously chosen to give you that caffeine kick at no expense to your health and wellness. Keeping with Säti Soda’s commitment to providing both function and flavor, Säti Slim includes:

Clean caffeine sourced from 150 mg of green coffee beans for that energy boost and appetite suppression
Functional Benefits: Includes PurC, an organic Vitamin C blend from Acerola fruit, which supports immunity, skin health, and acts as a natural preservative & Lion’s Mane supporting cognition and caffeine absorption
Zero-sugar, zero-stevia, zero-artificial sweeteners: Sweetened with only organic monk fruit.
Better-for-You Option: A clean, organic energy drink that prioritizes health without compromising on flavor,” explains a company press release.

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May 23, 2025 0

Spring and Asparagus go hand-in-hand

*Asparagus ready for my backyard grill. I use these disposable grilling sheets to keep my main grill clean.*

In spring, an old man’s fancy turns to — asparagus? Well, hopefully still other things as well. But spring is traditionally thought of as asparagus season, the New York Times tells us.

Asparagus should be on your healthy menu. It’s high in probiotics and a good source of Vitamin K (although if you’re on some blood thinners as I am, vitamin K may not be your friend, see below for details).

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May 16, 2025 0

Balsamic-Roasted Broccoli — try this for summer fare

I saw this recipe for balsamic-roasted and was shocked to discover I’ve never written about it on this blog. I did have a piece on roasting broccoli and cauliflower, but never just the broccoli.

Start with fresh broccoli, cut off the bulky stems and trim as you like — Broccoli often is on sale in the Chciago area where we live. Watch out for sales near you.

So here it is. Leave out the salt, obviously. The balsamic vinegar will give it plenty of flavor even without the salt.

Leave out the cheese too if you’re worried about salt and fat. OR search out low-fat or no-fat cheese to help a bit.

Recipe

Balsamic-Roasted Broccoli

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 25 mins

Yield: 2 side-dish servings

Ingredients

3 cups broccoli florets (about ¾ lb/350 g fresh broccoli)
1 small onion, peeled, halved, and thickly sliced
1½ tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon coarse salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoon fresh grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F.
Toss together all ingredients, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Roast until the broccoli is tender and browned in spots, about 18 to 22 minutes (depending how crispy you like your broccoli), tossing once halfway through.
Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top, if using, and serve immediately.

May 14, 2025 0

But I only had a salad — with a truckload of junk on it

“Oh, I’ll just get a salad,” is what people worried about gaining weight say when they eat out with friends. Salads are low-cal right?

That depends. Places like the Cheesecake Factory load salads with so many unhealthy things they soon become high-calorie, high-fat and high-salt.

*Opt for salads without much added to the lettuce.*

Indeed, salads made this list from AARP: 12 Foods That May Cause Unhealthy Weight Gain.

“Salads can be loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals—but what you put on them matters. Piling on cheese, bacon bits, croutons or creamy dressings can pack more calories than you expect.

“Tip: Keep your portions in check when using calorie-dense toppings and opt for a light vinaigrette instead of creamy dressings. For an even bigger nutritional boost, go for a variety of colorful veggies and lean proteins to keep you full,” says the AARP article.

Other items on the list, such as nuts which are often touted as healthy, may surprise you too.

Even olive oil, everyone’s favorite fat these days, made the list. Quantity matters is the lesson here.

May 11, 2025 0

Seven 100-calorie snacking options

I’m always wary of stories with headlines like 7 Foods Under 100 Calories You’ll Love. Normally those lists involve mostly foods I don’t like to eat, such as nuts.

Eating watermelon doesn't fill me up, although it's high in water content. — *A fun snack, although I don’t find it filling at all given its high water content.*

But this list from LoseIt! actually has six things I do like to snack on — six out of seven, not bad. The only loser for me is hard-boiled eggs.

The rest — cherry tomatoes, yogurt, edamame, oranges, popcorn and watermelon, are all items I turn to when I don’t want to eat junk food.

Watch for them on sale at your local supermarket and then try them. Pints of cherry tomatoes and watermelon cups tend to be on sale regularly where I live, for example.

May 9, 2025 0

Month: May 2025

Was it fiber or taste that propelled Olipop and Poppi?

Säti Slim — A sugar-free soda option for Memorial Day

Spring and Asparagus go hand-in-hand

Balsamic-Roasted Broccoli — try this for summer fare

But I only had a salad — with a truckload of junk on it

Seven 100-calorie snacking options

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